Browse F.A.Q. Topics

Ascent Day (Climbing Questions)

When should I start training?

We recommend starting right away! If you are coming from out of state to participate (which is awesome!), we encourage you to arrive in Colorado at least a few days prior to the climb in order to acclimate to the elevation. Even those in peak physical shape need to adjust to our thin air!
Try visiting the forum section of 14ers.com, the training section of 14erfun.com, or the training section of trails.com for suggestions and tips,

Are pets allowed?

Each team is participating independently and should look up the rules for your mountain/land area. Please keep in mind that if pets are allowed, we are operating on a "leave no trace" mindset. Pets should therefore be cleaned up after appropriately.

Where will I meet my team? How will I know my team members?

Each team will need to communicate and decide this. We encourage as much carpooling as possible!

What time do I have to start climbing?

This is something your team will need to discuss and will depend on which mountain you choose. General climbing advice states that the earlier in the day you begin, the better. Please refer to the RTD recommendations for more information.

How will we communicate with each other on the day of the hike?

We suggest that everyone bring their phones along, though service can be very spotty in the mountains. More importantly, we highly recommend that you climb as a team and stick together! If you do get separated on the hike, just make sure you have a plan in place to meet back at the trailhead. Please stay with at least one other person at all times.

What if we have bad weather on the day of the hike?

Colorado 54 is scheduled for Saturday, August 8th. In case of bad weather on your mountain, you may decide to forego your summit attempt that day and try again the next day or whenever possible. Because the weather across the state is so variable, we won't reschedule the entire event except in very extreme cases. Please be informed about weather conditions and forecasts before you begin your hike. You may refer to the 14ers.com weather page for detailed forecasts.

What resources are available to plan our hike?

There are a few great comprehensive resources online, some of which are listed below:

Our staff is also happy to answer as many questions as possible, or direct you to a resource that can help you further. Shoot us a message on our contact page and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

Is this safe?

Climbing 14ers can be dangerous if improperly prepared or equipped. With the right training, knowledge, gear, and appropriate cautiousness, you can expect to be safe. We strongly encourage careful preparation and research, as well as inviting seasoned veterans and medical professionals onto your team.

We highly recommend checking out some of these resources on mountain safety:

http://www.14ers.com/safety.php

http://www.alpinerescueteam.org/safety-education/mountain-safety/

Fundraising

How can I (or my friends/family) donate?

You, or your friends and family, can donate through either the Second Mile Water main page or directly through our Colorado 54 event page. You can also support individual athletes through their fundraising pages by following the links that they provide, or through the Colorado 54 event page, which allows you to search for individual participants.

Can someone from Second Mile Water help me fundraise?

While fundraising is your responsibility, we are happy to provide support, give advice, or listen to ideas. We have also compiled a fundraising kit to help you with ideas, tips, sample letters, etc. Each participant is provided with a personal fundraising page, which will allow donations to be made directly to your campaign. For more tips and ideas on raising money, check out this beginner's guide!

If we receive monetary donations, where can we send it?

You can either send the money to Second Mile Water directly, or make out a check to "Second Mile Water" in that amount. Either way, our mailing address is: PO Box 1332, Boulder, CO 80306.

When should I start my fundraising?

Start today! Fundraising closes on Friday, August 8th. We certainly don't want you to have to scramble for funding, so get a head start on fundraising, relax, sit back, and train to conquer the trail!

Where is this money going, specifically?

The money raised from The Colorado 54 will go toward support and implementation of water projects in five communities in north-central Nicaragua, serving over 1,000 families in need if we reach our goal.

How do I raise money?

Raise money in a way that is most comfortable for you! We recommend that you reach out to family, friends, and other contacts that support your athletic and charitable endeavors. You will have your own page on the Colorado 54 website to make donations an easy click away! Check out our Fundraising Kit for ideas, tips, sample letters and more.

How much money do I have to raise?

Each climber must pay their $50 registration fee and then is responsible for setting their own campaign goal on their personal campaign page (see here for sample). $250 is enough to provide one family in Nicaragua with permanent access to clean water so that is a great place to start. Success is what you make it.

General

Who sponsors the Colorado 54?

As of May 7, The Colorado 54 is supported by Patagonia, BACKPACKER Magazine, Prana, Nalgene, Polar Bottle, Leave No Trace, Mountain Dog Media and Newton Running. If your company would like a piece of the '54 action, give us a shout on our sponsorship page!

Who is in charge of my team? What is the role of a Team Leader?

Everyone is responsible for themselves, but as a team, you can communicate with each other about the different roles needed. We recommend that the most experienced hikers in the group use their knowledge to guide the team if possible, but there is no one person in charge of the team.
Team Leaders are responsible for organizing their team's hike. This means ironing out where you'll meet, when the hike will begin, and working with your teammates to figure out which route you will take up the mountain.

I am busy the weekend of the event, can I still raise money?

Through the Mob section of our website, you can create your own fundraising page and raise money year round. Please feel free to spread the word about this event to your family and friends as well, especially if you think that they may want to participate!
If you know that you are unable to climb on the CO54 weekend, please do not sign up as 14er as spots are limited.

I am not an avid hiker, will I need to purchase gear for this?

We do not require participants to purchase specific items, but we recommend visiting your local outdoors store or researching online for advice on what to wear and use. Especially if you are new to hiking, take the time to be informed and be prepared. When choosing a 14er, we also recommend that you pay close attention to the level of difficulty (classes 1 (easy) to 5 (difficult)), as greater difficulty will often require more specialized gear for a smooth ascent.
Alpine Rescue compiled a list of 10 Essentials to take with you on your climb.
Try scoping some gear from one of our sponsors - Patagonia!

How can I communicate with my team members if they are people I don’t know?

The staff at Second Mile Water will connect all team members with their team leader. After that, communicate away!

What does my registration fee cover?

Your registration fee will cover your participation in the event as well as a t-shirt and other swag that you'll receive in your welcome kit!

Do I have to live in Colorado?

No! Colorado 54 welcomes participants from all over the globe. Due to the altitude, we strongly recommend arriving a week prior to your hike to acclimate in order to best avoid altitude sickness.

How do I find a team?

Colorado 54 has an open registration, meaning anyone can sign up to climb any of the 54 14ers. You can join an existing team or get a crew together!

Planning

What will the weather be like?

Weather in Colorado, especially in the mountains, is variable and can change rather quickly. We suggest monitoring the weather closely as the climb date approaches and coordinating with your team. Remember, on the day of the event it is your responsibility to decide if the weather will allow you to summit that day.

What should I wear?

Check out this checklist on 14ers.com. Remember, even though it will be the middle of the summer, temps can be freezing at 14,000 ft. Don't overpack, but be prepared. We suggest visiting your nearby outdoor/adventure store for suggestions and tips - try our sponsor Patagonia!

When should I start my fundraising?

Start today! Fundraising closes on Friday, August 8th. We certainly don't want you to have to scramble for funding, so get a head start on fundraising, relax, sit back, and train to conquer the trail!

What resources are available to plan our hike?

There are a few great comprehensive resources online, some of which are listed below:

Our staff is also happy to answer as many questions as possible, or direct you to a resource that can help you further. Shoot us a message on our contact page and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

Products

Can I buy CO54 gear?

Yes! We have t-shirts, hats, and other items available in the Gear Up section of our site. 100% of your purchase funds clean water projects in Nicaragua.

When will I receive my 14er starting kit? What is included in the kit?

We will mail your starting kit by May 1st. It will include your event t-shirt, sticker, and thank you letter for helping us make this event come to life!

Safety

Will there be any medical staff available to us?

Each person is choosing to do this climb independently and we are unable to provide medical staff on each mountain. We recommend having people with climbing and medical experience on your team if possible, carrying basic first aid gear with you, and having a reasonable basic knowledge of emergency medical procedures. Carry your phone with you, and dial 911 in case of a true emergency. Familiarize yourself with the information provided on the Alpine Rescue website.

What if I get hurt during the climb?

If you or someone on your team becomes seriously injured, call 911 to access Alpine Rescue. If you have no phone service, send a team member down the mountain to call for help while other team members stay with the injured person. If you/your teammate is still mobile, use your best judgement but we recommend that you stop your climb and descend. There is always another day to summit. If symptoms of altitude sickness begin to present, descend the mountain immediately.

What if we have bad weather on the day of the hike?

Colorado 54 is scheduled for Saturday, August 8th. In case of bad weather on your mountain, you may decide to forego your summit attempt that day and try again the next day or whenever possible. Because the weather across the state is so variable, we won't reschedule the entire event except in very extreme cases. Please be informed about weather conditions and forecasts before you begin your hike. You may refer to the 14ers.com weather page for detailed forecasts.

What resources are available to plan our hike?

There are a few great comprehensive resources online, some of which are listed below:

Our staff is also happy to answer as many questions as possible, or direct you to a resource that can help you further. Shoot us a message on our contact page and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

Is this safe?

Climbing 14ers can be dangerous if improperly prepared or equipped. With the right training, knowledge, gear, and appropriate cautiousness, you can expect to be safe. We strongly encourage careful preparation and research, as well as inviting seasoned veterans and medical professionals onto your team.

We highly recommend checking out some of these resources on mountain safety:

http://www.14ers.com/safety.php

http://www.alpinerescueteam.org/safety-education/mountain-safety/

Second Mile Water

Does Second Mile Water work anywhere else?

Currently, we work specifically in Nicaragua. Our model has us focus on one region at a time, ensuring that we know that they will have sustainable access to clean water long after we are gone. We are focused on quality and sustainability before expansion, but have future plans to expand to other areas suffering from the water crisis.

Why Nicaragua? Where in the country is my money going?

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Central America, and present conditions leave many communities impoverished and without access to clean, safe drinking water. The money raised through The Colorado 54 will be applied directly to communities in the Jalapa Valley, where there are over 47,000 people without access to clean water. We hope to change this with your help!

What can I do to support Second Mile Water?

In addition to participating in The Colorado 54, we are engaged in other efforts throughout the year to help end water poverty. You can sign up as a volunteer with us, or create your own fundraising page for any endeavor (not just the '54) and raise money through another one of your athletic endeavors. You can also encourage family and friends to participate by spreading the word about our organization and mission! Get involved directly at secondmilewater.org.

How much of the money I raise will actually go toward helping people get clean water?

When it comes to being lean, Second Mile Water is about as lean as it gets. We have one paid person on staff flanked by an army of volunteers and interns that allow us to make big things happen, stretching your dollars as far as they'll go. We strive to have as little overhead/administrative costs as possible and 100% of the money raised through the '54 goes directly to Second Mile Water to make it possible to end water poverty where we work.

Where is this money going, specifically?

The money raised from The Colorado 54 will go toward support and implementation of water projects in five communities in north-central Nicaragua, serving over 1,000 families in need if we reach our goal.

Sign Up

My spouse/friend/sibling and I want to sign up together, can you make sure we are on the same team?

You are more than welcome to sign up with a spouse or a friend, but we ask that each individual climber creates their own page and is also an official '54 participant. To get on the same team together, we suggest discussing which peak(s) you and your spouse/friends are interested in doing and checking to see how many spaces are available on the sign up page. Then, sign up at the same time to ensure you make it on the same team!

How much money do I have to raise?

Each climber must pay their $50 registration fee and then is responsible for setting their own campaign goal on their personal campaign page (see here for sample). $250 is enough to provide one family in Nicaragua with permanent access to clean water so that is a great place to start. Success is what you make it.

What does my registration fee cover?

Your registration fee will cover your participation in the event as well as a t-shirt and other swag that you'll receive in your welcome kit!

Do I have to live in Colorado?

No! Colorado 54 welcomes participants from all over the globe. Due to the altitude, we strongly recommend arriving a week prior to your hike to acclimate in order to best avoid altitude sickness.

How do I find a team?

Colorado 54 has an open registration, meaning anyone can sign up to climb any of the 54 14ers. You can join an existing team or get a crew together!

How do I pick a mountain?

We recommend that you visit http://www.14ers.com/ and pick a mountain based on your skill level and experience. Another consideration would be location (although we encourage all our participants to take this opportunity to venture out and explore a new area of Colorado!). Due to environmental impact, we are limiting the number of Colorado54 participants on each mountain. If the one you choose is full, try another!